Volunteering can bring a smile to your face and to others. | Photo provided by God’s Pantry Food Bank

Each year, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday of January — Jan. 16 this year. The theme for this year is “Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems,” according to The King Center — a nonprofit founded by MLK’s wife, Coretta Scott King, to continue Dr. King’s legacy.

If you have time to dedicate to our community, here are three local volunteer opportunities. Check out HandsOn Greater Richmond for more.

Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity | Grab a hammer and hard hat to help build homes, landscape or do yard work for families in need. Programs are available for all ages.
Better Housing Coalition | The coalition offers in-person and virtual projects with missions like holiday gifts, food and clothing drives for seniors, and health services.
YMCA of Greater Richmond | Coach youth sports, build outdoor spaces, or help with food and clothing drives.

Or participate in an event honoring the holiday.

Celebrate MLK | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 3 p.m. | Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education, 11810 Centre St. | This Richmond Symphony concert will feature compositions by Black artists, with an emphasis on Virginians, and a performance by Brown Ballerinas for Change.
MLK Day of Service and Remembrance | Monday, Jan. 16 | 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | The Black History Museum and Cultural Center, 122 W. Leigh St. | Register to attend the service at the museum and help out at a variety of service projects following the program.
Community Conversations | Monday, Jan. 16 | Times vary | University of Richmond | Register to participate in a series of dialogues on King’s legacy and mission.

Looking for other ways to get involved? Check out more local volunteer opportunities at the link below.

30+ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

EVENTS

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Friday, Jan. 13

After 5 Fridays: Taste of Art | Friday, Jan. 13 | 6-8 p.m. | VMFA, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Enjoy drink specials at Best Café then explore the galleries with a guided highlight tour.
Variety Dive | Friday, Jan. 13 | 8-11:30 p.m. | Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall St., Richmond | $15 | Support Gallery5 at this benefit show with live music, drag, burlesque, spoken word, and magic.
Bikini Bottom Rave | Friday, Jan. 13 | 9 p.m. | The National, 708 E. Broad St., Richmond | $33 | Dance the night away at this “SpongeBob SquarePants"-themed event.

Saturday, Jan. 14

Virginia POW Camps During World War II | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 2-4 p.m. | RPL Hull Street Branch, 1400 Hull St., Richmond | Free | Historian Kathryn Roe Coker will discuss her research with author Jason Wetzel.
Drivin N Cryin | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond | $20 | Jam with these rockers out of Atlanta.

Sunday, Jan. 15

“Blue Velvet” | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 2 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | See the David Lynch film on the big screen.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

54º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain

Coming Soon

A new eatery is moving into the old Robin Inn space. The longtime Richmond establishment, which closed last summer, will be replaced by a Philly and South Jersey-inspired spot called Stanley’s. It could be open by March. 🍽 (Richmond BizSense)

Transit

The Pulse Government Center Eastbound Station is back open after being closed long-term due to construction around the General Assembly Building. The alternate stop on Broad at 7th Street will no longer be served by the Pulse. 🚌

Community

Still need to get rid of a Christmas tree? The city is hosting the Bring One for the Chipper recycling event tomorrow from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1710 Robin Hood Rd. Remember to remove lights and decorations. You can also bring electronics, documents that need to be shredded, and household hazardous waste items. 🌲

Travel

Richmond Region Tourism has announced a proposal to increase funding for marketing Richmond as a tourist destination. If established, the region could become a Tourism Improvement District. Through the TID, hotels with over 41 rooms in the district would collect a 2% assessment per room night to go towards tourism promotion. 💸

Festival

The Richmond Jewish Food Festival returns to the Weinstein JCC (5403 Monument Ave.) this Sunday and Monday. From 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on Sunday, swing by for dining, live music, and vendors. Just want food? Order ahead for takeaway service on Monday.

Theater

Richmond Shakes is gearing up for its first production of the year. Tickets for “Uncle Vanya” at the Dominion Energy Center Gottwald Playhouse are now on sale. The show runs Thursday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Feb. 12. 🎭

Number

$10,000. That’s how much the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance will receive from a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The funds will support the Lights Up! Youth Series, a program that offers free arts workshops for youth around the region.

DYK

Did you know? Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF reached its closest point to the sun last night. For your best odds of catching this once-in-600-lifetimes spectacle, watch northwestern dark skies during the Saturday, Jan. 21 new moon, or on the night of Wednesday, Feb. 1, when it’s closest to Earth. (Space.com)

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drink

Popping non-alcoholic bottles

Point 5 sells mixers, mocktails, faux spirits, and more nonalcoholic options. | Photo by RICtoday

If you’re among the many participating in Dry January, you may want to check out Point 5. The fully non-alcoholic bottle shop opened last year.

We wrote about the opening back in June. Here’s the origin story.

Owner Jody Sidle keeps the shelves stocked full of beverages for guests in recovery, those looking to lower their alcohol intake, or for someone just looking for a new favorite.

Jody came up with the shop idea while quarantined at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. She wanted to cut back on how much she was drinking during weekdays. Her goal at Point 5 is to provide more options for those wanting to make a different choice — without having to resort to drinking a Shirley Temple.

Learn more about the shop by reading our full story at the link below.

EXPLORE THE STORE

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Robin.

Editor’s pick: I’m starting to think about potential candidates for a new food passport — last year we made an interactive map of chicken wings. Ramen, grilled cheese, and oysters were all on the shortlist. Feel free to toss some suggestions my way. 🍗

Missed our last newsletter? Get the story behind 49 acres of a soon-to-be-protected Civil War battlefield.

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Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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